The government’s promise to reindustrialise the UK economy has fallen at the first hurdle, according to the President of the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM). Stephen Morley, a manufacturing veteran of more than 40 years, believes the Chancellor missed a critical opportunity to support manufacturers, tackle crippling energy costs and, importantly, create the economic conditions to help industry grow. He believes Labour missed a golden chance to demonstrate it understands the pressures facing companies on the shopfloor and thousands of management teams on the frontline of the UK economy. “There is nothing in this Budget that comes close to addressing the challenges facing our members and UK manufacturing in general,” explained Stephen. “Most disappointingly, there is no...
The US aluminum trihydrate market strengthened in September 2026 as downstream procurement, rising overseas production costs, and shipping bottlenecks supported prices. In contrast, Bosnia’s market faced a quarterly correction as European buyers drew on accumulated inventories and lower caustic soda costs eased manufacturing pressures, highlighting diverging regional price trends. US aluminum trihydrate market gains on demand and supply constraints US aluminum trihydrate prices increased 2.38% month over month in September, supported by purchases from wire and cable manufacturers, electrical infrastructure compounders, and electric vehicle (EV) component producers. Demand remained particularly resilient for applications involving low-smoke cable compounds and flame-retardant materials....
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Alumetal, a Polish recycling company, has successfully taken the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for its recycled foundry alloy aluminium products. Image Source: Hydro "By applying industry-leading practices, Alumetal is able to turn trash into treasure. The product declaration not only validates Hydro's and Alumetal's commitment to driving sustainability and responsibility in the aluminium industry but also provides our customers and partners with exact knowledge of the environmental impact of their supply chain," voiced Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President in Hydro Aluminium Metal. Alumetal has been owned by Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy enterprise Hydro since 2023. Recycling aluminium requires just 5 per cent of the cumulative energy needed to produce primary...
Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO), since the beginning of the year, has steadily increased the sales of its double zero foil billet. Since the beginning of this year, the company's orders for double zero foil billets have steadily increased, recently receiving a batch of export orders for South Korea. JISCO has delivered 15,277 tonnes of double-zero foil products to major domestic manufacturers. This year, the product has gained strong support from end users, with sales surpassing 10,000 tons and exceeding the planned target. As the concept of green consumption gains traction, demand for these products continues to grow both domestically and internationally, offering a promising outlook. Wang Xiaogang, Associate Engineer in the Production Technology and Quality Department at Dongxing...
Ball Corporation, a global leader in sustainable aluminium packaging for beverages, personal care, and home products, is strengthening its portfolio in extruded aluminium packaging by acquiring Alucan, a prominent European producer of extruded aluminium aerosol and bottle technology, on October 31st. The acquisition will include adding new manufacturing facilities in Llinars del Vallés (Barcelona), Spain, and Lummen, Belgium. Image Source: Ball Corporation The acquisition supports Ball’s strategic commitment to making sustainability more accessible for its customers through scalable aluminium packaging solutions. The addition of these new plants will allow Ball to meet the increasing demand for sustainable packaging across Europe. Equipped with advanced technology, both facilities are...
Cultivating restorative microbial activity to remediate metal-impacted mine wastes has retained some successes, mainly using man-made wetlands or passive bioreactors to generate (microbially mediated) anoxic and sulfidic conditions. Image Source: American Geosciences Institute Recently, researcher trio Dr Rosie Gillane, Fernanda Soto, and Luke Webster from the University of Queensland have come up with a method of detoxifying red mud , waste material yielded by the tonne at bauxite mining sites across Australia, a report shares. "You would not usually associate bacteria or microorganisms with mine rehabilitation," says Luke, whose PhD thesis focuses on 'synbio' mining techniques like the one he describes. The process is known as biohydrometallurgy, in which particular proteins can be used...
Metro Mining Limited has yet again achieved a new monthly high shipment by delivering 793,420 tonnes of wet bauxite in October 2024. The shipment volume rose 1.72 per cent month-on-month from 780,000 tonnes and surged year-on-year by 18 per cent. Image Source: LinkedIn (Metro Mining) The integration of a real-time monitoring system and improved operating capacity and loading rates, stabilising at 1,800 tph by September and peaking at 2,500 tph during free-digging operations at Ikamba's conveyor system, contributed to a new record high of Metro's bauxite shipment. The new monthly high has brought the total year-to-date shipment to 4.45 million tonnes of wet bauxite, marking a 69.5 per cent achievement of the annual target of 6 to 6.4 million tonnes. Until Q3 2024 ended September 30, Metro...
Triumph Speed 400 MY25 makers have decided to relaunch in India, bringing back the initial metal finish brushed aluminium exhaust in place of the previous black finish ones from T4 after robust customer feedback. Image Source: Triumph Official Website Along with restoring the aluminium exhaust, the two-wheeler model has received four newer colour options namely pearl metallic white, racing yellow, racing red, and phantom black. The motorcycle gets adjustable clutch, brake levers, and a better-cushioned seat for more comfort. The MY25 Speed 400 is shod with Vredestein Centauro radial tyres, a 110/80-17 front tyre and a 150/70-17 rear tyre. Due to the high-end tyres, the front and rear suspension travel has decreased by 10 mm each. The rake has also been altered to a 25.1-degree rake on the...
With the rising demand for hydropower as an alternative to fossil fuels, Iceland undertook the development of the Kárahnjúkar hydropower plant in the eastern Highlands to support the Alcoa aluminium smelter, built simultaneously. Image source: Stantec Iceland's largest industrial development Together, these projects represent Iceland's largest industrial development to date. With an annual output of 4,600 GWh, this $1.2 billion (€1.1 billion) venture took five years to complete. The construction includes 73 kilometres (45 miles) of tunnels, five dams, and three reservoirs. The Icelandic government strongly supports hydropower, seeing it as essential to its economic growth strategy, particularly for powering energy-intensive industries. While investors explore new hydropower projects,...
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the appointment of Dale Last as Australia's second-largest state Queensland's new Minister for Natural Resources and Mines and Minister for Regional and Rural Development. QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson extended her congratulations to Dale Last on his Cabinet appointment, highlighting the importance of his role in overseeing Queensland's critical resource sector. Hewson noted that the Council looks forward to working with the new Minister to advance sustainable development and ensure that the resources industry continues to contribute to regional growth and economic prosperity. Janette Hewson, Chief Executive Officer of QRC, stated, "The QRC looks forward to working constructively with Minister Last, whose own electorate...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter, has entered into a strategic partnership with Bahrain-based ARRAY Innovation, a leader in AI and digital cloud solutions. The partnership, formalised at the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum's second edition, focuses on advancing Alba's digital transformation journey under the Industry 4.0 framework. Alaa Saeed, ARRAY Innovation Founder and CEO, said, "We're excited to partner with Alba on their Industry 4.0 initiatives, leveraging the depth of ARRAY's Quantitative Development and software engineering expertise to provide Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics solutions. Array is on a mission to build advanced enterprise software, analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning...
AL Circle’s latest e-magazine explores the exciting world of flat-rolled aluminium products through illustrative articles. From Türkiye's booming demand for aluminium in electric vehicles to luxury packaging embracing a sleek and sustainable makeover, these stories show how flat-rolled products are capable of leading a bold, eco-driven transformation. Sustainability is no longer a goal; it is the new norm, and these companies are proving that green growth and industrial progress can roll together seamlessly! Aluminium in packaging: consumer trends and market dynamics The aluminium packaging project was on an upward trajectory through 2023 owing to the focus on eco-friendly, reusable and optimally functional packaging. The crucial factors include replacing traditionally used items like...
China’s domestic aluminium processing industry saw a 12.64 per cent downturn in the Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) during October 2024, reflecting a transition from peak to the traditional off-season. Although the PMI level in the said month stood above 50, the worsened trend in the preceding month due to low orders on hand amid the full-fledged traditional off-season is likely to bring the November PMI below the 50 per cent mark. According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the PMI index for China’s domestic aluminium processing industry was 53.9 per cent, compared to 61.7 per cent in September. The weaker PMI for aluminium plate, sheet and strip industry, aluminium foil, industrial aluminium extrusion, and primary aluminium alloy mainly contributed to the overall decline....
At Gateway Gulf 2024, an investment forum programme hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development from November 3 to 4, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba) and Daiki Aluminium Industry Company Ltd., talked about their strategic partnership to form a joint venture firm – Alba-Daiki Sustainable Solutions (ADSS). Image Source - Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) The partnership was initially signed on August 7, 2024 , to establish a cutting-edge, sustainable aluminium dross processing facility through the joint venture. Reaffirming the partnership at the forum underpins the companies' diligence and commitment towards the upcoming project. In the forum, Alba and Daiki Aluminium shared their share percentage in the JV for the first time. While Alba will hold a 70 per cent stake, Daiki will own 30 per cent. The...
In October 2024, the LME aluminium prices saw renewed strength despite the headwinds of a stronger US dollar and varied economic indicators from key markets. After reaching a cash-month low of $2,521 per tonne on October 15, prices rebounded to USD $2,617 per tonne by the month's close. A major factor underpinning this upward trend is the tightening of alumina supply, which has fuelled cost pressures across the aluminium industry. Alumina prices have surged from USD $350 per tonne to around USD $700 per tonne—a figure expected to climb further in the coming weeks. The spike follows a series of production disruptions and a halt in bauxite exports from Guinea to one of the world's leading alumina and aluminium producers, amplifying concerns of continued supply constraints. Several companies...
The Aluminium Company of Egypt (Egyptalum) has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for its production and supply of primary aluminium products. This certification encompasses a range of products, including ingots, wire rods, billets, T-bars, slabs, primary foundry alloys, flat-rolled products, and extrusions. Image source: ASI Egyptalum’s certified processes at its Nag Hammadi facility include casting, rolling, and extrusion. The certification also covers raw material and finished product transportation at the Safaga port, along with carbon anode manufacturing and industrial gases and compressed air production. With an annual production capacity of 320,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, Egyptalum’s facility also supports downstream activities, including producing flat...
This week has seen significant developments in the upstream sector of the aluminium industry, which includes bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium. Notably, the average spot price for alumina in China surpassed RMB 5000 for the first time on Wednesday, settling at RMB 5,007 per tonne before rising further by RMB 49 to reach RMB 5,056 per tonne. In addition, Metro Mining Limited reported a remarkable operational update for the third quarter of 2024, achieving record bauxite production. The company shipped 2.13 million wet metric tonnes (WMT) during the quarter, representing a substantial increase of 50 per cent from Q2 2024 and a 32 per cent rise compared to Q3 2023. Meanwhile, Aluminium Corporation of China Limited (Chalco), the country's largest aluminium producer, disclosed its...
Environmental protection inspection and measurement have resumed in some Chinese provinces like Henan, which may cause aluminium plate, sheet and strip enterprises to reduce production. The Shanghai Metals Market is closely monitoring the situation as Henan is a hub for aluminium plate, sheet and strip production; therefore, output cuts will likely dampen China’s total production of aluminium flat products. Image Source: Mingtai Aluminium According to SMM, China’s domestic operating capacity of aluminium plates, sheets, and strips exceeded 20 million tonnes, with about 40 per cent located in Henan. An industry player has pointed out that operation restrictions in Henan during the winter heating season have become almost an annual practice, causing impacts on aluminium production. So, over...
Millburn Fire Department officials have come up with an aluminium recycling initiative dedicated to facilitating treatment for child burn patients. Image Source: Pixabay The programme, 'Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC)', is dedicated to donating all earnings to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center's (CBMC) Burn Center. 30 town fire departments in the US state partner with CBMC's aluminium can collection and recycling project. According to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center's (CBMC) Burn Center, "ACBC was founded in 1986 by local firefighters to raise funds for children cared for at The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas. As New Jersey's only burn treatment facility, each year, the Burn Center admits more than 400 patients, with another 6,000 seen on an outpatient basis. Approximately 40...
Italy has been stunning the world with its artistic creation for centuries. What made Italy even more noticeable in the 1950s were the Italian sports cars, which were considered 'moving art' at the time. Paying tribute to those beauties, The Amalgam Collection's aluminium carrosseries hasve recently made some buzz and, all for the right reasons. Image Source: The Amalgam Collection Curving metals into artistic car bodies is a meticulous task indeed, especially when trying to capture the original essence in a quarter of the size. Each piece has been handcrafted with utmost details and traditional techniques from aluminium sheets by proficient artisans. To create the panels using the 'English Wheel' and hammering the metal over a buck, the work done by legendary coachbuilders such as...
